Detroit River restoration receives $10 million boost from EPA, state

June 9, 2026

Michigan and federal environmental officials announced a $10 million partnership to continue restoration of the Detroit River, which contains approximately 3. 5 million cubic yards of toxic sediment from decades of industrial pollution. The EPA is contributing $6.

Who is affected

Residents and communities along the Detroit River, including Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, River Rouge, Ecorse, Wyandotte, Riverview, Trenton, Grosse Ile, Gibraltar, Brownstown Township, and Canadian shoreline communities
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Friends of the Detroit River
Detroit River Public Advisory Council
Future industry and philanthropic partners being sought for additional funding

What action is being taken

The EPA is providing $6.5 million and Michigan is adding $3.5 million in matching funds
EGLE and EPA are working to develop plans and make the project "shovel-ready"
Contaminated soil is being dredged from Upper Trenton Harbor
Dredged contaminated soil is being barged to the Pointe Mouillee Confined Disposal Facility in Rockwood
Work at Trenton Harbor is continuing through next year
Officials are working on securing additional funding from industry and philanthropic partners

Why it matters

The Detroit River restoration represents a transformation of the waterway from an environmental liability into a community asset after decades of industrial contamination. With 3.5 million cubic yards of toxic sediment containing dangerous contaminants like PCBs, metals, oil, and bacteria, the cleanup is essential for public health, ecosystem restoration, and reconnecting communities to the river. The project demonstrates how long-term environmental remediation efforts can revitalize urban waterways, though the estimated $1 billion total cost underscores the massive scale of addressing legacy industrial pollution. Successfully completing the sediment remediation represents the last major component of restoring this critical waterway that connects Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie.

What's next

Officials will continue working to secure additional funding from industry and philanthropic partners
Work at Trenton Harbor will likely continue through next year
The Pointe Mouillee Confined Disposal Facility is expected to run out of space in four years (requiring alternative disposal solutions)

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com